Apart from the service, I booked in some warranty issues (steering thud, Starting issue, some rattles (but still have some niggling cabin rattles)).

Prior to the service the engine and transmission were incredibly sluggish. They did the computer updates and now she's very responsive, same as the day I first drove it!

The moral of this story is given the time from factory floor Detroit to delivery time, your Jeep may have a few updates waiting to be downloaded. I would take up the 1000km service freebie for no other reason than to get the updates.

On another matter, when they did the 10k service they changed the oil but not the filter as they had none in stock. They'll call me when it arrives to install.

My question is, how kosher is it to run the old filter with new oil? I have always changed both at the same time and have not come across this problem previously. My thinking is the oil will be contaminated.

That is very poor form of the dealer to do that to you.
I would insist on new oil and filter. Check the colour of the oil when you take it back and make sure it is clear when you pick it up. Oil will go everywhere when the filter is changed, so they will need to top it up. To even do the oil change without a filter just show the level of competence of the dealer.
As for the change after the service, I knew I was not imagining it when I picked up mine, but many here did not believe me either. The car feels more responsive.

Yeah it's left a sour taste. I made it clear I wasn't happy and the new oil would be contaminated. He said not so, as the filter is there to pick up particles it makes no difference with new oil. Clearly it does and oil and filters go hand in hand.

It's a company car so I just get the dealers to do this hoping all would be fine.

I had to wait for steering shaft and other bits to arrive, one would think a filter would be top of the list to order!

No definitely no imagination, there is a marked difference after the service / updates. People should take up the 1000km freebie just in case.

Yeah it's left a sour taste. I made it clear I wasn't happy and the new oil would be contaminated. He said not so, as the filter is there to pick up particles it makes no difference with new oil. Clearly it does and oil and filters go hand in hand.

You're right, all of the dirty oil residing in the filter would be mixed in with the new oil.

there is always "used oil" left in the engine. The Filter eliminates particles, the only serious issue is wen a filter gets blocked. Then the oil passes unfiltered through an bypass valve.
However, this Event Ive never seen yet. In europe the intervalls for oil and filters vary betwenn 20 an 30k Kilometers, a "break in" oil chang after 1000 km or miles as common in the us is completely unknown.

Even though the filter is located near the top of these engines, it is still importanat that the filter be removed while the oil is draining to ensure all old oil is drained, icluding from the filter. Otherwise old oil will be locked in the oil filter.

I would insist on changing oil and filter when they get the filter in.

I booked my car in three weeks ago for its 10'000 service, left it with them for four days while I flew to Queensland only to return and they didn't do the service. They said they had no oil filter and they wouldn't change the oil with out it. So once again I drove 700 klms for nothing to happen with my car. Over 5000 klms done in my car is driving to them to fix problems or stuff they forgot to put on when purchased. Love Darwin Jeep!

They are a long established dealership here and the new Jeep "kids on the block" so I thought I'd give them a go.

Overall I think they're fine BUT.........if a car was booked in for a service that required specific (yet basic) part (an oil filter), and that part (an oil filter) was not in stock, one would think someone would have to call the owner of that car and postpone the service rather than perform a half-assed job.

Really, a year ago I was brand new to Jeep. I have been on this forum for close to a full year and the underlying message I get is the management of Jeep Australia is run like a kindergarten but by the kids themselves!

It's clear Jeep Australia have absolutely no quality control over their dealerships, how else could a service dept perform a service without an oil filter? Mine is but 1 example, read the forums and you won't need to look hard to find others.

For such a great product to rely on very / extremely poor follow through from Jeep Australia is a great shame and will do more harm for the emerging Jeep brand than they think. People read these forums and then think, mmmm maybe I'll stick with Toyota etc until Jeep Australia gets its act together.

I booked my car in three weeks ago for its 10'000 service, left it with them for four days while I flew to Queensland only to return and they didn't do the service. They said they had no oil filter and they wouldn't change the oil with out it. So once again I drove 700 klms for nothing to happen with my car. Over 5000 klms done in my car is driving to them to fix problems or stuff they forgot to put on when purchased. Love Darwin Jeep!

Go to their facebook page and speak loudly.
If Chrysler Aust want to run their parts division on a tightass budget, then everyone needs to be told about it.
It really is not the dealer's fault that parts are not available. It is Chrysler Aust's fault. They are too tight to order a pallet by airfreight, so are quite happy to save a dollar or two to wait for s ship.
I think I would prefer the delaer t have changedthe oil without a new filter, rather than let the old oil remain for a further few weeks. Just make sure they do another oli change when they do the filter, not just a topup.
I will start a chat on their Facebook page later today.